A legal dispute connected to her newly released autobiography has derailed what was meant to be the next chapter of Gabriella Papadakis’s post-competitive career. Instead, with the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics fast approaching, the retired ice dance champion is at the center of a very public fallout with former partner Guillaume Cizeron. With the opportunity to dive into media work gone, and perhaps not much left to lose, Papadakis has addressed the setback she did not anticipate.

As reported by CBC Olympics, the ice dancer told L’Equipe, “To my knowledge, in reaction to Guillaume filing a formal notice, which was made public, they [NBC] considered that the perception of my neutrality was compromised and that I could not commentate on the Olympic Games.”

Both former partners are now embroiled in a legal dispute stemming from Papadakis’ autobiography, Pour ne pas disparaître (“So as Not to Disappear”), released on January 15, 2026. Cizeron’s lawyers issued a formal notice requesting that what he described as defamatory statements about him cease, a move that Papadakis believes directly led to NBC withdrawing her from its Olympic commentary plans. NBC later confirmed that the decision was rooted in concerns over perceived impartiality.

“We respect Gabriella’s right to tell the story of her life and career. At the same time, her new book creates a clear conflict of interest. Our responsibility is to deliver coverage that our audience can trust to be free of bias—whether actual or perceived—and we regret that is no longer possible given the circumstances.”

The 30-year-old, who retired from competition in December 2024, framed it as a devastating blow to her post-athletic life.

“I’m not dealing with it very well. I’ve cried a lot. I was super disappointed because I was just beginning that career as a commentator,” she said. “To lose the opportunity to start a new career is very difficult to take. I understand NBC’s position, but yes, I’m experiencing a feeling of injustice.”

The setback was particularly abrupt given that Papadakis had already begun that transition, working as an analyst for NBC at the recent U.S. Figure Skating Championships alongside Terry Gannon and Johnny Weir, appearances that had positioned her as part of the network’s broader Olympic coverage plans.

But, while Papadakis has spoken at length about the impact of the dispute on her career, Cizeron, however, has firmly rejected Papadakis’s account of their partnership.

Guillaume Cizeron didn’t hold back when it came to talking about Gabriella Papadakis’ autobiography

Despite having 34 world records and multiple medals to their name on the rink, the split between Guillaume Cizeron and Gabriella Papadakis has become sour. Cizeon simply labeled it as a “smear campaign” against him.

“I have chosen to entrust this matter to my lawyers and to formally request that all parties involved immediately cease the dissemination of defamatory statements against me, and I reserve the right to take any necessary legal action to protect my integrity.”

Several French media outlets’ reports suggested that in that book, Papadakis described her partnership with Cizeron as “controlling” and “demanding” and said he had a “hold” over her. And when Cizeron got to know about this, he was “very saddened.”

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He even mentioned that their former relationship was with “equal collaboration both athletically and personally.”

Cizeron continued, “I also denounce the content of the book ‘Pour ne pas disparaître,’ which contains false information, attributing to me statements I never made and which I consider serious.”

The timing has only intensified scrutiny. Papadakis has pushed back against suggestions that the book’s release was intended to coincide with Cizeron’s return to Olympic competition, saying the publication date had been set well before his comeback with new partner Laurence Fournier-Beaudry. Fournier-Beaudry, who recently obtained French citizenship after previously competing for Canada, will skate with Cizeron at the Milano-Cortina Games, where the pair is expected to contend for gold.

While Papadakis watches the upcoming Olympics from the outside, navigating the fallout of both a professional and personal rupture, Cizeron’s focus now shifts back to competition, both still writing a new, but ugly chapter of their shared legacy.